Saint Misbehavin'

You needn't bother trying to get hold of Brian O'Carroll on St. Patrick's Day, because he's gonna be a wee bit occupied. The bearded guitarist and frontman for local Celtic rock outfit The Biffos will be busy bounding around town with his bandmates during Lá Fhéile Pádraig, staging gigs at three different pubs at different ends of the Valley. "St. Paddy's is like Christmas and New Year's for Irish bands, multiplied by three," he says. "Every musician I know is playing at least two or three shows." That's no surprise, considering the number of Emerald Isle extravaganzas planned for the big day. Every bloke and babe we know will be out and about, whether they're watching Flogging Molly sing "If I Ever Leave This World Alive" in Tempe or guzzling Guinness by the gallon at their neighborhood dive. Here's our annual compilation of the best of what's happening on Wednesday, March 17 (unless otherwise noted).

Fountain Park 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills www.plazafountainside.comThere's more than just green beer and corned beef and cabbage at the town's annual open-air St. Paddy's Day Festival, as the event will also feature arts and crafts, barbecues, vendors, children's play areas, and more. As always, the park's eponymous 330-foot fountain will be turned green, erupting at noon and 5 p.m., and music will be provided by the artists of Jed's A Millionaire, No Regret, the Phoenix Scottish Pipe Band, and Seanachie. 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13. Free. Call 480-816-5151.

The British Open Pub1334 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdalewww.thebritishopenpub.com Stovies, Scotch Eggs, colcannon potatoes and corned beef and cabbage are just some of scrumptious U.K. dishes that will be prepared. The bar will also offer such specials as $1 off all drafts, well drinks, and domestics. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Call 480-941-4915.

Harrah's Ak-Chin15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopawww.harrahsakchin.com The Harvest Buffet will serve up an Emerald Isle feast ($9.99 per person for lunch, $12.99 for dinner), Seanachie performs authentic Irish music from 7 to 11 p.m., and drink specials like $1 green beers, $2 Irish Cactus shots, and $2.50 Irish coffee will also be available. Call 480-802-5000.Kiley's Grill2394 N. Alma School Rd., Chandlerwww.kileysgrill.com Festivities commence at 6 a.m. with a green eggs and ham breakfast, followed by a daylong indoor/outdoor festival featuring live music from 11 bands on two stages starting at 10 a.m. Green beer, games, prizes, giveaways, dunk tanks, and other fun will also take place at this fundraiser for Phoenix Children's Hospital. Runs until 2 a.m., $10. Call 480-245-6601.

The Lodge4422 N. 75th St., Scottsdalewww.scottsdalelodge.com Patrons can enjoy $5 20-ounce drafts with $3 refills all night (including Guinness) during the "Green Beer is Gross Gala," which also includes music from John Creasey. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-945-0828.

McDuffy's Grille980 E. Pecos Rd., Chandlerwww.mcduffys.com Emerald Isle indulgences await at this St. Patrick's Day fete, such as $7.99 corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, $6.99 Irish stew in bread bowls, and $2 Lucky Charm Jell-O shots and green drafts, as well as specials on Guinness, Smithwick's, and Irish whiskey. Beads, giveaways, appearance by the Green Girls, and other distractions are also planned. 11 a.m.-2 a.m., $3 after 7 p.m. Call 480-966-8200.

Old Chicago Pasta & Pizza6821 E. Superstition Springs Blvd., Mesawww.oldchicago.com Half-priced appetizers will be served from 3 to 6 p.m., with a variety of Irish beers available all day. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Call 480-218-8171.

Wally's American Pub7704 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdalewww.wallyspub.com Plenty of Emerald Isle eats will be served (including corned beef and cabbage, Guinness stew, and shepherd's pie), and live music and bagpipers will be on hand. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Call 480-596-7978.

BARS, CLUBS, & PUBS

Azool Bar & Grill3134 W. Carefree Hwy.www.azools.com This nightspot transforms into "O'Zools" during its St. Patrick's Day celebration, which promises corned beef and cabbage, Three Olives promos and giveaways, live music from Adam Stein, karaoke, and more. 4 p.m. Call 623-582-5177.

Clancy's Pub4432 Miller Rd., Scottsdalewww.clancysarizona.com The food and fun starts before dawn as green-colored bagels, Irish coffee, green beer, and full breakfasts will be available after 6 a.m. The rest of the day's activities include lunch service and live music in the outdoor beer garden starting at 11 a.m., a pipe and drum band, DJ and dancing, games such as a hot dog eating competition and sexiest leprechaun contest, and appearances by the girls of Red Stripe, Jäger, Bushmills, and Bailey's. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-990-8797.

College Dropouts560 South College Avenuewww.myspace.com/collegedropoutsaz Drop in for $2 green beer, $3 Nutty Irishmen, $4 Guinness, and $5 Irish Car Bombs all day. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-967-2536.

D'Arcy McGee's2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempewww.darcymcgees.com KUPD jock John Holmberg broadcasts his Morning Sickness radio show on the patio, which coincides with the serving of a traditional Irish breakfast starting at 6 a.m. A ginormous tent party in the parking lot commences at 10 a.m., and features live entertainment, a food buffet, beer stations, outdoor bars, Irish stepdancing, bagpipers, and more. Open until 1 a.m. $10. Call 480-557-9087.

Fibber Magees1989 W. Elliot Rd., Chandlerwww.fibbermageespub.com St. Patrick's Day Block party featuring drink specials, promos, giveaways, and more, as well as music from Holly Kirsten, The Brazenheads, and The Scones. (Breakfast will also be served at 8 a.m.) Noon-2 a.m., $10 after 3 p.m. Call 480-722-9434.

Goat Head Saloon1423 S. Country Club Dr., Mesawww.goatheadsaloon.com St. Patrick's Day party with music from The Morning After, and more. 8 p.m. Call 480-464-8030.

Hurricane Bay Nightclub4139 W. Bell Rd.www.hurricanebaynightclub.com Ladies can wear out their skimpiest swimwear and win fame and fortune at the "Tini-Wini Green Bikini Bash," where $500 in cash and prizes will be awarded at 12:30 a.m. to the sexiest siren (with $250 going to the runner up). Drink specials include $3 Budweiser and Bud Light aluminum bottles until midnight and $1 green beers all night. DJ Knick Knack will also spin. Call 602-843-6100 for cover.

Lis Doon Varna16100 N. Arrowhead Fountain Ctr. Dr., Peoriawww.lisdoonvarnapub.com Support the Peoria Sunset Lions Foundation and other local charities at this celebration, which boasts food and drink specials, step dancing, and raffles and prize giveaways of such booty as a Guinness bicycle, as well as music from the McMorrows, Paddy's Peg Leg, and the Glendale Pipe Band. (Pre-parties will also be held on Friday, March 12, and Saturday, March 13, with raffle of VIP ticket packages for Flogging Molly's concert and other prizes). Opens at 10 a.m. Call 623-979-0730.

Rosie McCaffrey's906 E. Camelback Rd.www.rosiemccaffreys.com This pub will be a hubbub of activity, beginning with an on-site broadcast of KEZ's Beth & Friends at 6 a.m. The revelry starts at 11 a.m. with food and drink specials, happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m., bagpipers, step dancing, music from Raun Alosi, and more. Open until 2 a.m. Call 602-241-1916.

Murphy's Law58 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler A super-size tent will be erected in the parking lot, housing a beer garden, cornhole pong, a dunk tank, a strongman striker, step dancing, and more. Play ring toss for a chance to win a trip for two to Ireland and the Old Bushmills Distillery. Todd Owens, Howieland, and Bobby St. Vincent will perform, while DJ Scrappy from 104.7 FM will be on the ones and twos. Breakfast is at 8 a.m., and the tent opens at noon; $10. Call 480-812-1588.

The Rose & Crown628 E. Adams St. A 13,000-square-foot outdoor festival and beer garden will surround this English pub, featuring prizes and giveaways, a variety of food, and music by August Red, Plinko, and other bands. 11 a.m., $10 after 3 p.m. Call 602-256-0223.

Rogue West3593 W. Northern Ave.www.myspace.com/roguewest Get wasted in the West Valley with music from rock, punk, and indie acts Tokyo Electron, Becky Lee and Drunkfoot, Earthmen and Strangers, and The Cosmeticators. DJ Mike Genz spins between sets. 9 p.m.

R.T. O'Sullivan's Sports GrillThree Valley locationswww.rtosullivans.com Feast and frolic at any of the parking lot parties being staged at the three R.T.'s throughout the Valley, providing $4 monster mugs of green beer, mechanical bull-riding, local pipe and drum corps, and ungodly amounts of corned beef and cabbage to one and all. Irish beers like Harp and Smithwick's will be on tap and each location offers its own lineup of live music starting at noon. Bell Road features The Lucky Devils Duo, Tin Weasel, Nate Williams, Another Day, Westcott Avenue, and No Coast; while Southern Avenue hosts Mark Zubia, Tramps and Thieves, Emmett DeGuevera, Los Guys, What Laura Says, and The Sugar Thieves. Superstition Springs will provide stage space for Shelby James, 36 Cents and Dream, Vinyl Revival, Strange Young Things, and Champagne Tap. 10 a.m., $10 after 3 p.m.

Rúla Búla Irish Pub401 S. Mill Ave., Tempewww.rulabula.com A Jameson bicycle will be raffled off during Rúla Búla's annual outdoor extravaganza, as well as such shwag as hats, jackets, and golf bags. Pat McCrossan, Keltic Cowboys, INIS, and the Tempe Town Lake Highlanders Pipe Band are also scheduled to perform. Opens at 10 a.m. (Pre-parties will be held Friday, March 12, and Saturday, March 13, and include raffles for VIP ticket packages for Flogging Molly's concert and other prizes). Call 480-929-9500.

The Sail Inn26 S. Farmer Ave., Tempewww.thesailinn.com Live music from The Love Me Nots, Labor Party, and Surfside IV starts at 8 p.m., with corned beef and cabbage available all day. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-966-9565.

Séamus McCaffrey's Irish Pub18 W. Monroe St.www.seamusmccaffreys.com Shamrock 'n' roll with music from Dan McGuinness, The Waters, Blaine Long, and The Nick Heward Trio, as well as promo giveaways from Jameson and Bushmills, and such menu selections as corned beef sandwiches and Irish beef stew. Ollie the Trolley will also provide shuttle service to the Turf and back. 9 a.m.-2 a.m., $10 after 3 p.m. (which also includes access to both bars). Call 602-253-6081.

Shakespeare's Pub & Restaurant1744 S. Val Vista Dr., Mesawww.shakespearesaz.com St. Patrick's Day party with food and beer specials, live music from local bands starting at 4 p.m., and more. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Call 480-507-7827.

Skeptical Chymist15688 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdalewww.skepticalchymist.com Early birds can enjoy breakfast beginning at 8 a.m., while late risers can show up at noon for a beer garden, promos, giveaways, and more. Live entertainment starts 2 p.m. with music from such bands as Deception and Pheed. Runs until 2 a.m., $10 after 3 p.m. Call 480-609-8677. Call 480-609-8677.

Tim Finnegan's9201 N. 29th Ave.www.timfinnegans.com Celebrate St. Patty's around the clock at this West Valley pub's all-day party. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m., followed by the beer garden opening at noon. Folkster Eddie McAteer performs at 2 p.m., followed by Zimis at 6 p.m. Open until 2 a.m., $3 cover after 3 p.m. Call 602-997-2323.

TT Roadhouse2915 N. 68th St., Scottsdale Pop a dollar or two into the joint's killer jukebox (we suggest selecting some Dropkick Murphys or The Pogues while sipping on $3.50 Guinness and Harp, or $4 Jameson. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Call 480-990-9033.

The Turf705 N. 1st St.www.theturfpub.com Saint Patrick's party with corned beef and cabbage, Jameson and Bushmills promos, and gigs by such bands as The Waters, The Biffos, and The Jump Back Brothers. Ollie the Trolley will also provide shuttle service to Séamus McCaffrey's and back. Opens at 10 a.m., $10 after 3 p.m. (which also includes access to both bars). Call 602-296-5043.

Yucca Tap Room29 W. Southern Ave., Tempewww.myspace.com/yuccatap Participate in the weekly rockaroake session in the main bar, or get your drink on in the newly-opened craft beer and whiskey lounge next door. 8 p.m. Call 480-967-4777.